Iowa's McCaffery apologizes for ref bump

January 06, 2014|Sports Xchange

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery (left) is restrained by an assistant coach Andrew Francis after McCaffery was called for two technical fouls and then ejected from the game with the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. (Mary Langenfeld / USA Today Sports)

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery apologized Monday for bumping into an official, which got him ejected from Sunday's game against Wisconsin.

The incident occurred with 11:51 remaining in the second half and Iowa leading 41-39. McCaffery blew up at officials after a pair of calls went against the Hawkeyes.

While arguing, he lightly bumped into one of the officials, which called for an automatic ejection. After the game, McCaffrey said that his dismissal was not what caused the Hawkeyes to lose 75-71.

He apologized in a statement released from the school Monday morning.

“I want to apologize for my emotional reaction during Sunday night's game at Wisconsin,” he said. “I have great passion and respect for the game of basketball and everyone involved in it. I regret that my actions put our program and the University of Iowa in a negative light. I look forward to working with my staff and my players to move forward and compete for a championship.”

Athletic director Gary Barta also issued a statement about the incident.

“I've met with Coach McCaffery regarding last night's ejection from the game in Madison,” Barta said. “He knows he crossed a line of acceptable behavior and accepts responsibility for his actions. All staff at the University of Iowa fully support the Big Ten Conference's sportsmanship policy's fundamental elements, including civility and respect toward opponents and game officials. Fran has my full support moving forward.”

The loss dropped Iowa to 12-3 on the season. The Hawkeyes are 66-53 in three-plus seasons under McCaffery.